Since his arrival in Rapid City, Brad has always been active in the local Pennington County Bar Association (PCBA). The PCBA is an organization devoted to educating others about the role of lawyers in our communities as well as helping financially needy organizations in Rapid City. In 2009, Brad was nominated as the Secretary/Treasurer for the PCBA. In 2010, Brad served as the Vice-President before taking on the role of President in 2011. In 2008, Brad was asked to serve on the Board of Directors for the Seventh Circuit’s Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program. The CASA Program recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers to advocate in court for the best interest of abused and neglected children. The goal of the CASA Program is to have a “voice” in court for every child who needs one. Brad served as the Vice-Chairperson for the Board of Directors until 2014. In 2010, Brad was asked to serve on the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association as the Chair for the Recruitment & Services Committee. The purpose of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association is to preserve the jury system, promote justice, and establish a high standard of ethics among trial lawyers. In 2011, Brad was appointed to serve as a member of the Board of Governors for the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association. In 2014, Brad was elected to serve on the Board of Bar Commissioner for the State Bar of South Dakota. The Board of Bar Commissioners has many responsibilities which relate to promoting the interests of the legal profession and working to improve the relationships between the profession and the public. Brad is an avid golfer and enjoys organizing golf tournaments to raise money for charity. In law school, Brad organized the Delta Theta Phi charity golf tournament for the benefit of Habitat for Humanity. Brad continued that tradition in 2007 when he organized the Seventh Circuit Charity Golf Tournament, which involves a yearly golf tournament that raises money for charities and worthy causes in the Rapid City area. Each year Brad has continued to organize this charitable event and has helped raise over $60,000 for charity. For the past several years Brad has served on the Worker’s Compensation Committee for the State Bar of South Dakota. As a member of this committee Brad is able to monitor developments in South Dakota’s workers’ compensation system and monitor how the changes may affect South Dakota employees. Brad enjoys spending time with friends and family. He and his wife Ann have two children—Megan and Brody. Aside from work, Brad stays busy coaching and attending his children’s various sports and events, traveling, and golfing.

His peers have recognized Michael Strain as one of South Dakota’s outstanding trial lawyers. In 1995, he was selected as South Dakota Trial Lawyer of the Year. He has also been labeled as “Super Lawyer” by the Great Plains Super Lawyers Magazine. Mr. Strain has developed a stellar record as a trial attorney in civil and criminal jury trials throughout his career, trying over 100 cases to verdict and bringing numerous others to settlement. His litigation practice has ranged from minor car accidents to civil rights litigation, medical malpractice cases, business litigation cases, and murder trials. Mr. Strain has obtained numerous “not guilty” verdicts in criminal trials and has brought many substantial civil verdicts and settlements. His litigation practice is focused on business litigation, civil rights, personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal law. From 2002 to 2007, Mr. Strain won 19 civil jury trials in a row.